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How to convert MOD to MOV for FCE

M

macsr4all

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 27, 2007
35
0
Calgary, Canada
i recently bought the most amazing 15" macbook pro along with final cut express hoping to put together video files from my JCV hard drive camcorder. The files from the camera are .MOD and are not recognized by FCE (at least i can't figure out how).

Any help on what i have to do?

thanks for your help
 
macsr4all said:
i recently bought the most amazing 15" macbook pro along with final cut express hoping to put together video files from my JCV hard drive camcorder. The files from the camera are .MOD and are not recognized by FCE (at least i can't figure out how).

Any help on what i have to do?

thanks for your help
Click to expand...

Try Google? Try a browse and a search in dvinfo.net/conf? Try specifying which exact model of camera you're using when asking for help about it? That makes finding help (for example, on Google or anywhere else) much easier.

Try MPEG Streamclip?
 
You can open your MOD files in MPEGStreamClip (http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-mac.html) and convert them directly to Quicktime that way. Here is a thread that might be of use to you.

Final Cut uses the DV NTSC compressor natively, so to avoid unnecessary rendering in FCE, I would use that compressor when converting to MOV.

You're lucky this is such an easy conversion! Most hard drive cameras are not compatible with Macs. So in the future, you might consider going with a digital tape-based format such as MiniDV. ;)
 
ppc_michael said:
So in the future, you might consider going with a digital tape-based format such as MiniDV. ;)
Click to expand...

macr4all could archive to MiniDV tape after offloading the stuff from the JVC's hard drive and converting it to DV. I'd at least do that for edited sequences. Output for distribution would be on DVD but for archive should be on MiniDV.
 
Thanks y'all...
the mpeg streamclip works for converting just mpeg files not mgep2s. i need to buy the mpeg 2 streamclip from apple for $20 bucks online. not bad.

thanks for the help
 
macsr4all said:
Thanks y'all...
the mpeg streamclip works for converting just mpeg files not mgep2s. i need to buy the mpeg 2 streamclip from apple for $20 bucks online. not bad.

thanks for the help
Click to expand...

Um yeah, it requires the QuickTime MPEG2 Playback Component to work with MPEG2 material.
 
macsr4all said:
Thanks y'all...
the mpeg streamclip works for converting just mpeg files not mgep2s. i need to buy the mpeg 2 streamclip from apple for $20 bucks online. not bad.

thanks for the help
Click to expand...

Oh, FCE doesn't come with Quicktime Pro? Sorry, I would have mentioned that you'll have to buy the MPEG2 module had I realized FCE doesn't give you QUicktime Pro. :eek:
 
ppc_michael said:
Oh, FCE doesn't come with Quicktime Pro? Sorry, I would have mentioned that you'll have to buy the MPEG2 module had I realized FCE doesn't give you QUicktime Pro. :eek:
Click to expand...

Final Cut Suite comes with both a QuickTime Pro license and the QuickTime MPEG2 Playback Component. QT Pro and the QT MPEG2 Playback Component are separate products.
 
ppc_michael said:
You can open your MOD files in MPEGStreamClip (http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-mac.html) and convert them directly to Quicktime that way. Here is a thread that might be of use to you.

Final Cut uses the DV NTSC compressor natively, so to avoid unnecessary rendering in FCE, I would use that compressor when converting to MOV.

You're lucky this is such an easy conversion! Most hard drive cameras are not compatible with Macs. So in the future, you might consider going with a digital tape-based format such as MiniDV. ;)
Click to expand...


Is the .mod file equivalant to a mpeg2 file. I wouldn't want to purchase the mpeg2 component from apple and it not convert the .mod into .mov.
 
Rod Rod said:
Click the link in the post you just quoted? http://forums.3ivx.com/index.php?showtopic=83964
Click to expand...

Without buying the mpeg2codec from apple, you can view the .mod files by downloading mplayer for os x...it's free, just google it.

install it, and then change the .mod extesnion to .mpg, and drag it to mplayer.

Should play fine. Mine does.

If you want to cover the .mod file, you'll need MPEGStreamclip and the mpeg2codec for quicktime.

I haven't tried to convert it using ffmpegX, but it is free, and the codecs for it are free as well.

Best,

Brian
 
bmcgonag said:
Without buying the mpeg2codec from apple, you can view the .mod files by downloading mplayer for os x...it's free, just google it.

install it, and then change the .mod extesnion to .mpg, and drag it to mplayer.

Should play fine. Mine does.

If you want to cover the .mod file, you'll need MPEGStreamclip and the mpeg2codec for quicktime.

I haven't tried to convert it using ffmpegX, but it is free, and the codecs for it are free as well.

Best,

Brian
Click to expand...

well i broke down and bought the download from apple. now i can at least watch my video's through that window. But FCE still doesn't recognize it as the right type file.

I understand FCE works with mov files, but i don't see a "convert to mov" option. they offer these options, does anyone know which one to do?

export to quicktime
export to dv
export to avi
export to MPEG-4
export frame

Convert to MPEG
Convert to MPEG with MP2 audio...
Convert to headed MPEG
Convert to TS...
Concert to TS with MP2 Audio/ RIC header/VID header

Demux to M2V and AIFF...
demux to m2v and m1a...
demux to M2V and AC3...
Demux to M2V...
Demux to AIFF...
Demux to m1a..
Demux to ac3...
Demux to unscaled m2v and iaff...
demux to headed m2v and aiff...
demux to headed m2v and m1a...
demux to headed m2v and ac3...
demux to headed m2v...

i would like to save/convert my mod files to a file that FCE recognizes to start making videos

thanks
 
macsr4all said:
well i broke down and bought the download from apple. now i can at least watch my video's through that window. But FCE still doesn't recognize it as the right type file.

I understand FCE works with mov files, but i don't see a "convert to mov" option. they offer these options, does anyone know which one to do?

export to quicktime
export to dv
export to avi
export to MPEG-4
export frame

Convert to MPEG
Convert to MPEG with MP2 audio...
Convert to headed MPEG
Convert to TS...
Concert to TS with MP2 Audio/ RIC header/VID header

Demux to M2V and AIFF...
demux to m2v and m1a...
demux to M2V and AC3...
Demux to M2V...
Demux to AIFF...
Demux to m1a..
Demux to ac3...
Demux to unscaled m2v and iaff...
demux to headed m2v and aiff...
demux to headed m2v and m1a...
demux to headed m2v and ac3...
demux to headed m2v...

i would like to save/convert my mod files to a file that FCE recognizes to start making videos

thanks
Click to expand...


i went to "save as" and it saved it to a MPEG file which shows in the viewer with no sound and when put to the canvas it says unrendered.
 
Not to be a d*ck but ppc_michael gave you the answer two days ago. Go back and read his post about using MpegStreamclip to convert your files to DV NTSC and then editing the resulting file. Also, FYI .mov is a quicktime native format. If you go to export to quicktime, you can choose whatever codec you want including "quicktime movie" which = .mov.

In any case you don't need .mov anyway. Use ppc's advice and convert to DV NTSC. This is .dv footage which is really what you want to be working with anyway.

edit: MpegStreamclip is free also, and now that you have the quicktime MPEG2 plugin it should work fine.
 
makkystyle said:
Not to be a d*ck but ppc_michael gave you the answer two days ago. Go back and read his post about using MpegStreamclip to convert your files to DV NTSC and then editing the resulting file. Also, FYI .mov is a quicktime native format. If you go to export to quicktime, you can choose whatever codec you want including "quicktime movie" which = .mov.

In any case you don't need .mov anyway. Use ppc's advice and convert to DV NTSC. This is .dv footage which is really what you want to be working with anyway.

edit: MpegStreamclip is free also, and now that you have the quicktime MPEG2 plugin it should work fine.
Click to expand...

sorry man, i hate being the ignorant one, sometimes it takes me a while to soak in all this stuff i'm learning, but thanks for the reminder.

Well, with some fiddling and your guys' help, i got it working! Thanks a bundle guys for your help and your patience!

....until my next question...

Doug
 
macsr4all said:
sorry man, i hate being the ignorant one, sometimes it takes me a while to soak in all this stuff i'm learning, but thanks for the reminder.

Well, with some fiddling and your guys' help, i got it working! Thanks a bundle guys for your help and your patience!

....until my next question...

Doug
Click to expand...

No worries Doug, just wanted to make sure you didn't miss out on the good info he passed along. :) Though I have to say I disagree with him about tape... P2 all the way!!!
 
makkystyle said:
Though I have to say I disagree with him about tape... P2 all the way!!!
Click to expand...

Oou, P2 looks interesting. Although I'm not a fan of DVCPRO25, DVCPRO50 capabilities sound good, but somehow I don't think macsr4all will be looking at ENG cameras any time soon. ;)

Glad you got your conversions working, macsr4all!
 
It's in the Software Included

I just bought 4 JVC HDD camcorders for school and was also disappointed at first by the apparent lack of Mac support. Grabbing the stills is very easy, even if they are only 640x480.
I installed the enclosed of Capty MPEG Edit software. It's not pretty but you can use the Create feature and you will be promted to convert the clips to DV stream or Quicktime. You can even drag and drop the mod files on top of the software icon to capture all the clips. I just edited some clips in iMovie downloaded from the camera. If you use the Quicktime option it should work in FCE.
I'm using a MacBook with 10.4.9. We've had "library not found" errors when we installed it on some of our ibooks. Check the software system requirements.
 
makkystyle said:
Get the HVX and it shoots DVCPROHD same as the varicam. And for ~$5000 you will find no better camera (or easier workflow!).
Click to expand...
Yeah, if only it cost around $5000 including a big P2 card. Once you add two decent sized P2 cards you're looking at a lot more than $5000. Lots of people at my local Final Cut Pro users group find the P2 workflow to be "horrid." Then there's the question of archiving and file transferring as you go along. You could get a Firestore to make it less of a pain, but that costs a lot of $$$ too. For ~$5k most people are much better off with a JVC HD110 or Sony V1 / Z1.
jstub said:
I just bought 4 JVC HDD camcorders for school and was also disappointed at first by the apparent lack of Mac support. Grabbing the stills is very easy, even if they are only 640x480.
I installed the enclosed of Capty MPEG Edit software. It's not pretty but you can use the Create feature and you will be promted to convert the clips to DV stream or Quicktime. You can even drag and drop the mod files on top of the software icon to capture all the clips. I just edited some clips in iMovie downloaded from the camera. If you use the Quicktime option it should work in FCE.
I'm using a MacBook with 10.4.9. We've had "library not found" errors when we installed it on some of our ibooks. Check the software system requirements.
Click to expand...
Have you tried the MPEG Streamclip method?
 
This ffmpegx seems to work OK but the options are bewildering for a noob in the video world.

I have these MPEG2 files from HDD Camcorder and I just want them concerted to the best quality possible for manipulation in iMovie. There are some many different codecs and frame-rates and other stuff it's crazy.

So I clicked on the "Best" option with MPEG4 onto DVD and AAC 256 VBR audio - that gave me 5483 kbps bitrate on the video - is that good? Then I chose "unconstrained" as the autosize and it comes up with a weird 1376x592 video size - where is that from? The original was filmed in 16:9 but if I choose that it cuts down to 760 x 512 (or something like that...)

Anyway, I set up a queue to run overnight, I'll see how they look in the morning :)

A might confusing area to break into I must say :confused:
 
what is FCM?? i have same problem, i cant drag .MOD files to iMOvie.

I have downloaded squared5, converted a file to MPEG but when i want to drag it to iMovie it comes up with error that quicktime cant open it???

What am i doing wrong?
 
Bassista said:
what is FCM?? i have same problem, i cant drag .MOD files to iMOvie.

I have downloaded squared5, converted a file to MPEG but when i want to drag it to iMovie it comes up with error that quicktime cant open it???

What am i doing wrong?
Click to expand...

Within MPEG Streamclip, select "Export to DV" under the File menu. Bring that resulting DV file into iMovie.
 
JVC Everio .mod to QuickTime or Final Cut

JVC Everio .mod file converted to a QuickTime movie, and can be edited in Final Cut

If you're like me, and you don't like downloading weird converters and such, then try this lengthy, but useful process.

Here it is:
first thing you do is create a folder on your desktop or someplace
*Open iMovie
-create/name a new project
-plug in JVC Camcorder
-iMovie notices the JVC, and automatically imports the clips
-Drag the clips (in any order you like) to the top, middle screen (screen says drag files here)
-highlight you project name in the far left screen
-now click share at the top
-now click export Movie
-save it in the folder you created in the first step

*Open Final Cut
-import movie from the folder you created

VOILA!!!

I really hope this helped! The sound, and video should all be there.
-
 
NiceyMac said:
JVC Everio .mod file converted to a QuickTime movie, and can be edited in Final Cut

If you're like me, and you don't like downloading weird converters and such, then try this lengthy, but useful process.

Here it is:
first thing you do is create a folder on your desktop or someplace
*Open iMovie
-create/name a new project
-plug in JVC Camcorder
-iMovie notices the JVC, and automatically imports the clips
-Drag the clips (in any order you like) to the top, middle screen (screen says drag files here)
-highlight you project name in the far left screen
-now click share at the top
-now click export Movie
-save it in the folder you created in the first step

*Open Final Cut
-import movie from the folder you created

VOILA!!!

I really hope this helped! The sound, and video should all be there.
-
Click to expand...

You are on the right track, but you should really be right clicking on the original clip in the browser at the bottom of iMovie, and click on 'show in finder'. That way you can access the original clip and not modify it anymore then you need to.
 
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